THE TOOLKIT'S ROLE
CIRCULARITY
The Toolkit itself is a circular process. As collaborators work to solve challenges, they will develop case studies and tools, growing the resource library.
IMPACT
Consumers are eager to contribute to a better world. As users become familiar with fundamental circular economy concepts and the current challenges facing the industry, they will start to see themselves as key players for sustainable fashion.
We have worked to build the reputation of traditional production techniques and bring them closer to global markets, with the aim of inspiring more ethical business models.
UNDERSTANDING CIRCULAR ECONOMY
To build Sustainable Value Chains in the textile industry, it is necessary that all players, specially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), work towards circular practices. Fashion industry enjoys tremendous potential for sustainable innovation; however, any growth has to involve all stakeholders, including those at the foundation of the value chain. By incorporating circular business strategies, MSMEs can be more resilient in the face of an ever-changing industry.
This section is led to circular economy models as a business strategy and capacity-building tool for the small-medium entrepreneur. Broadly speaking, a circular business contributes to the regeneration of natural resources. The implications of textile industry goes from ensuring that the entire manufacturing process is done using renewable energy sources to guaranteeing the exclusive use of materials that allow for recycling. Not to mention an improvement in textile design made to last longer before being reused to produce new products.
Due to the fact that it is a model that meets sustainability goals, and which in turn represents an economic gain, circularity has made its way into the international sphere in recent years. Its application ranges from supranational alliances and governments to multinationals and small entrepreneurs. Through this module, the entrepreneur will examine the characteristics of the circular model and its international context. The module examines the added value that circularity provides to an SME, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals linked to the model. By using videos, computer graphics and complementary reading material, the entrepreneur will develop the ability to view and adapt circularity as a business strategy.
UNDERSTANDING SUSTAINABLE VALUE CHAINS
How to conduct a value chain analysis?
Determine the firm’s primary and support activities, from raw material to the final product.
Analyze the value and cost of those activities.
Identify opportunities to incorporate sustainability and circularity to gain a competitive advantage.
Value chain analysis allows companies to identify the processes that add value to their products, and assess these activities to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and solve problems. We propose adding a circular economy perspective to this fundamental capacity building tool.
The goal of this tool is to reveal opportunities for value chain improvement in three main areas: environmental consequences, social impact and circular economy. By examining internal activities, a firm can work towards sustainability and circularity while gaining competitive advantages that increase the value of their products.
Sustainable products typically offer a “differentiation advantage” to consumers, as opposed to a “cost advantage,” because competing on costs has led to countless problems associated with the current fast fashion business model. Consumers are demanding a new form of “added value,” and sustainable brands can bring unique value to the customer through sustainable and circular models of production.
FUNDAMENTALS COURSES
The online course is suitable for everyone interested in co-learning about how we can create more sustainable future through circular fashion.
Why learning about circular economy and sustainable fashion?
We cannot imagine a world without textiles and, above all, without clothes, as they give us comfort, protection, and comprise our individuality. Besides, textile industry is an important player in the global economy, since it generates jobs for hundred million people.
However, textile sector operates unsustainably in the long term: it is linear and uses great amounts of non-renewable resources to make clothes, which are often worn just for a short period of time to be finally thrown away in dumps. In most cases, clothes are not recycled and underutilized. Fast fashion consumption is pushing Earth’s sustainability to the limit. The ability to absorb greenhouse gas emissions, hazardous chemicals and discarded garments, as well as the ability to renew worn resources such as land and water, is under threat.
Ultimately, we cannot keep going down this sad road: the systemic change is needed and the Fundamentals of Circular Fashion course is a great first step in starting a new journey full of bright and innovative ideas to change our businesses and everyday life as consumers.
Module 1
Defining Sustainability
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Module 4
Sustainability Solutions: Business and Consumers
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Module 2
Product Cycle and Value Chain
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Module 5
Best practices/Call to Action
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Module 3
Circular Fashion and Social Innovation
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